Allen, Kaine face off in ‘People’s Debate’

U.S. Senate candidates George Allen, left, and Tim Kaine, right, discussed a wide array of issues during Monday night’s “People’s Debate,” which was held at the studios of WCVE in Richmond. Photo courtesy Stephen M. Helber / Associated Press

Two men with very different opinions on how to get Virginia and the nation back on its economic feet faced off Monday night at WCVE studios in Richmond in the fourth of five scheduled U.S. Senate debates.

Senate candidates Republican George Allen and Democrat Tim Kaine, both former governors, had a chance to weigh in on the issues during the "The People’s Debate," which was co-sponsored by AARP Virginia and the League of Women Voters of Virginia. The two men are vying for the seat of Sen. Jim Webb, a Democrat who is not seeking reelection.

Issues Monday night ranged from the economy to Social Security and Medicare to women’s rights.

During the debate, Kaine painted Allen as a governor and former senator who did not promote bipartisan cooperation and was not fiscally responsible.

Meanwhile, Allen criticized Kaine for being absent during his final year as governor, saying Kaine valued his appointment by President Barack Obama as chairman of the Democratic National Committee more than he did the governorship.